Salisbury Heights

An assessment of population growth drivers in Salisbury Heights reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Nov 2025, the Salisbury Heights statistical area's population is estimated at around 4,613. This reflects an increase of 125 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,488. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 4,577 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and additional validation of 86 new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,318 persons per square kilometer, above the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Salisbury Heights' growth rate of 2.8% since census positions it within 1.2 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.0%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 59.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, SA State Government's Regional/LGA projections by age category are adopted, based on 2021 data and released in 2023, with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Future population trends indicate an increase just below the median of statistical areas across the nation, with Salisbury Heights expected to increase by 524 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 10.9% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Salisbury Heights according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Salisbury Heights averaged approximately 21 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 109 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. Based on an average of 1.4 new residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, supply and demand appear well-matched, fostering stable market dynamics.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $374,000, somewhat higher than regional norms, reflecting quality-focused development. In FY-26, $1.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating the area's residential nature. Relative to Greater Adelaide, Salisbury Heights has slightly more development, with 33.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values.

Development activity has moderated in recent periods. All new construction comprised detached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 269 people per dwelling approval, Salisbury Heights shows characteristics of a low density area. Future projections estimate an addition of 504 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Salisbury Heights has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may impact this region: Salisbury Park Estate, Salisbury East Urban Renewal Precinct, Playford Health Hub, and Advanced Manufacturing and Retail Hub. The following details these projects in order of relevance.

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Employment conditions in Salisbury Heights demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Salisbury Heights has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent essential services sectors, an unemployment rate of 3.0%, and estimated employment growth of 1.9% in the past year (AreaSearch data). As of September 2025, 2,575 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.0% below Greater Adelaide's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is 66.3%, close to Greater Adelaide's 61.7%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade, with notable concentration in construction (1.4 times the regional average). Professional & technical services have lower representation at 4.2% compared to the regional average of 7.3%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the resident population versus working population count.

In the past year, employment increased by 1.9%, labour force by 1.9%, keeping unemployment broadly flat (AreaSearch analysis). This contrasts with Greater Adelaide's employment growth of 3.0% and unemployment rate decrease of 0.1 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows SA employment grew by 1.19% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, outperforming the national average of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's May-25 forecasts project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Salisbury Heights' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Salisbury Heights had a median income among taxpayers of $61,535 and an average income of $68,353. Nationally, these figures are approximately average, with Greater Adelaide reporting median and average incomes of $54,808 and $66,852 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.8% from financial year 2023 to September 2025, estimated current incomes would be approximately $66,950 (median) and $74,368 (average). The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Salisbury Heights cluster around the 52nd percentile nationally. Income analysis shows that 36.6% of the population, equating to 1,688 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the regional figure of 31.8%. After housing costs, residents retain 87.5% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Salisbury Heights is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

As of the latest Census, Salisbury Heights had 97.2% houses and 2.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Adelaide metro's 83.9% houses and 16.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Salisbury Heights was at 35.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 51.5% and rented ones at 13.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,514, higher than Adelaide metro's average of $1,300. Median weekly rent in Salisbury Heights was $330, compared to Adelaide metro's $300. Nationally, Salisbury Heights' mortgage repayments were lower at $1,514 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were lower at $330 compared to the national figure of $375.

Salisbury Heights features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 80.7% of all households, including 38.5% couples with children, 29.1% couples without children, and 12.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 19.3%, with lone person households at 18.4% and group households comprising 0.9%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Adelaide average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in Salisbury Heights fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 13.6%, significantly lower than Australia's average of 30.4%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (30.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 28.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.7% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 3.9% in tertiary education.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis shows 29 active stops operating within Salisbury Heights, consisting of buses. These stops are served by 15 routes, offering a total of 726 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 197 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 103 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Salisbury Heights are marginally below the national average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators suggest below-average outcomes in Salisbury Heights. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is fairly high at approximately 54% of the total population (around 2,491 people), compared to 47.1% across Greater Adelaide. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 8.6% and 8.3% of residents respectively. 67.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.1% across Greater Adelaide. As of 2021, 16.2% of residents are aged 65 and over (747 people). Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Salisbury Heights records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Salisbury Heights had a higher than average cultural diversity, with 10.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 21.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.4%. Islam's representation was lower than the Greater Adelaide average, at 1.8%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (31.6%), Australian (28.2%), and Italian (6.2%). Notably, Polish (1.2%), German (5.5%), and Welsh (0.7%) groups were overrepresented compared to regional averages.

Salisbury Heights's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Salisbury Heights has a median age of 38, nearly matching Greater Adelaide's figure of 39 and Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to the average in Greater Adelaide, Salisbury Heights has an over-representation of the 15-24 cohort at 14.5% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 12.7%. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of the population aged 15 to 24 has increased from 13.0% to 14.5%, while the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 13.4% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Salisbury Heights' age profile. The 45-54 age group is projected to expand by 107 people (18%), growing from 613 to 721 individuals. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 cohort is expected to grow by a modest 1% (3 people).